I just went to make coffee and realized how gross my coffee maker is. I need a new one, considering this Black & Decker one is over 5 years old... I'd love to get something that could possibly use the k-cups for some variety, but that I could make my own coffee as well... Not sure if something like that exists?

Yes. Buy a regular Kuerig but instead of pre-filled K-cups you can buy refillable cups and put whatever coffee in them you want.

Ditto this. Have the Keurig. We buy the flavored k-cups for mrs. vudutek, and have the refillable filter basket for me to use with the store-bought. Works great.

I just went to make coffee and realized how gross my coffee maker is. I need a new one, considering this Black & Decker one is over 5 years old... I'd love to get something that could possibly use the k-cups for some variety, but that I could make my own coffee as well... Not sure if something like that exists?

Yes. Buy a regular Kuerig but instead of pre-filled K-cups you can buy refillable cups and put whatever coffee in them you want.

Excellent, that's exactly what I want. But, urk, they start between $80 and $100?? Ouchies. Guess I'll be cleaning my current coffee maker and waiting it out till I have some income again.

Yeah, they aren't cheap, but Mrs. Buck wanted one for Xmas, so I sprang for it.

ferfer72it'll take some time, if you have the time and space to invest. but right now, they see you as a predator that wants to eat them. once they realize you're the source of their food, water, and comfort, that will change. how long that will take will vary depending on the kits themselves, and if they've had any previous good or bad interactions with humans.

otherwise, i'd suggest calling around to any local no-kill shelters, and see if they know of anyone that could foster them. as cute as they are, i can't imagine it'll be hard to find them homes once they've become acclimated.

I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. I had to wear gloves to catch them. They are biters, not lovers. I can't safely handle them without getting hurt.

I rescued/caught a mamma cat & 4 kittens a while back. Mamma was actually pretty friendly, but the kittens were about 8 weeks old & very skittish. The first thing that was suggested to me was to sit near them and offer gushyfood on a plate, but keep hold of it. That way their desire for the gushyfood would draw them close to me & get them used to me a bit. The ones you have look pretty young; you may have good luck getting them tamed.

ferfer72:tigerose and vudutek: I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. I had to wear gloves to catch them. They are biters, not lovers. I can't safely handle them without getting hurt.

A little white paint and you could tell your friends about your three adorable pet skunks. Someone would adopt them for sure.

Ok. So if I wear gloves, I can put them in the bath tub in my guest bathroom. I can set them up with a litter box and food in there (It's a big tub). Then what? I'm not quite sure I'm understanding the advice.

ferfer72, truly wish I could offer useful advice. When the GangOf5 were left here, they were evidently younger than your Cute Pest Control Problem, only 3.5 wks our vet guesstimated.Other advice from another quarter, the OH ARRL Section May report, specif from Section Emergency Coordinator:One of the things I've seen over the years is volunteers have a tendency to put themselves last.That in itself is not bad.Quite frankly, I put myself last all the time.But this concern can turn out to be a problem with one's health.Poor eating habits & poor sleeping habits can have serious effects on the human body.Your thinking or reasoning can be impaired which could lead to poor judgment.Forgetting to take your medication can also be of serious consequence.Look, I understand that in the heat of the moment you may not have time to eat something or grab a bottle of water.Or things are happening so fast that you forget about lunch.Sometimes stress is so high that you think about everything but yourself. It happens.Especially now that winter's over at last, it's furrvently hoped, we need to care for ourselves too, whether usefully volunteering or merely chasing the furry fanged beings who let us live with them.

laulaja:aevorea, FangQ for your help re Open Voting dates. Have put on gre big wall calender. Have much Editing & Transcribing to do presently, too often furrget/don't take/make time to consult FAQ.mafiageek1980, can you vote when you get home? If so, please please do until June 22 as aevorea found in the FAQ for me. If you're unable to, can only sympathise.

ferfer72 by all means wear gloves. Right now they are scared of you, so, when they are in the tub, sit next to it. Have a plate of gooshy food. Let them smell that you have it. Put it down where they can get to it and talk to them, low soothing voice. Maybe put one of your dirty shirts in there for them to lay on...that way they get used to your scent. (In fact when my son was born we brought home a blanket for the cats to smell so they would know that scent. Without the squawking baby!)

Patience. Once they figure out you are the dinner train, things will get easier!

I realize I'm late to the thread, but one of the kitten cams I watch got me thinking about my last cat, Mr. Fluffy.

I took Mr. Fluffy in off the streets of Baltimore. More accurately, he accepted the terms of the agreement and volunteered. Seriously. He was the biggest stray i had ever seen (20 lbs as it turns out), and would sit on my porch with the others, waiting for noms. But Mr. Fluffy never meowed or begged or stroked my leg; he just looked at me calmly, waiting. One day, when I decided I was willing to devote myself to a cat, I saw him outside, and I said to him, "OK, here's the deal: I'll give you all the food you could want, all the love that you want, and medical attention, but you can't go outside anymore." I opened the apartment door and asked, "So what do you say?". He got up and walked in and followed me into my apartment.

I took him to the vet right away. As it turns out, he was a he (he had been neutered, probably by one of the volunteer cat trappers in Baltimore), but I refused to change his name, hence the awkward moniker "Mr. Fluffy". The bad news was, he was FIV positive. He wasn't expected to last long. But, we made a deal, and I was sticking to it. Throughout his life, I had to deal will numerous traumas. Like the stomatitis. Like having to remove all the teeth behind his canines. And the glaucoma. And, eventually, the ear infection that destroyed his balance. That's when I eventually had to let him go, when I knew life was painful for him. He survived through two cross-country moves, four apartments, and seven years.

I still won't take in another cat. I can't yet, and he passed 5 years ago. He was too much. He had so much personality. I can't take in another cat and compare them to him; it wouldn't be fair. He used to sit at the window, watching his old haunt, and would "murr" and nod hello when I walked in (to get attentions). He would play cat and mouse with me, getting chased and chasing me, until the day I dove to the floor, and he tackled me. He would rest on my chest, with his arms on either side of my neck, and give me chin kisses until he fell asleep. And when he fell asleep, he would roll from my chest to my side, nestled between my torso and arm on his back, paws in the air (best naps ever, for both of us). When the glaucoma eventually blinded him, he would sleep on my bed, and when I got home, he would stay there patiently until I was done with all of my chores. The second I laid on the couch, I would here the "thu-thump" as he climbed out of bed and came to join me. Even when blind, he would only scratch an old pair of loafers I gave up to him, never scratching the walls or the furniture.

born_yesterday thank you for the wonderful story. It is hard when our animals have to leave us. Especially when they have such strong personalities. I think it is delightful that you can still bask in the warmth of your memories of Mr. Fluffy. I suspect that your next kitteh will simply appear on day, on the hood of your car, or on the windowsill. Demand entrance, and take over your life! And never say never, God has a sense of humor...

born_yesterday:I realize I'm late to the thread, but one of the kitten cams I watch got me thinking about my last cat, Mr. Fluffy.

I took Mr. Fluffy in off the streets of Baltimore. More accurately, he accepted the terms of the agreement and volunteered. Seriously. He was the biggest stray i had ever seen (20 lbs as it turns out), and would sit on my porch with the others, waiting for noms. But Mr. Fluffy never meowed or begged or stroked my leg; he just looked at me calmly, waiting. One day, when I decided I was willing to devote myself to a cat, I saw him outside, and I said to him, "OK, here's the deal: I'll give you all the food you could want, all the love that you want, and medical attention, but you can't go outside anymore." I opened the apartment door and asked, "So what do you say?". He got up and walked in and followed me into my apartment.

I took him to the vet right away. As it turns out, he was a he (he had been neutered, probably by one of the volunteer cat trappers in Baltimore), but I refused to change his name, hence the awkward moniker "Mr. Fluffy". The bad news was, he was FIV positive. He wasn't expected to last long. But, we made a deal, and I was sticking to it. Throughout his life, I had to deal will numerous traumas. Like the stomatitis. Like having to remove all the teeth behind his canines. And the glaucoma. And, eventually, the ear infection that destroyed his balance. That's when I eventually had to let him go, when I knew life was painful for him. He survived through two cross-country moves, four apartments, and seven years.

I still won't take in another cat. I can't yet, and he passed 5 years ago. He was too much. He had so much personality. I can't take in another cat and compare them to him; it wouldn't be fair. He used to sit at the window, watching his old haunt, and would "murr" and nod hello when I walked in (to get attentions). He would play cat and mouse with me, getting chased and chasing me, until the day I dove ...

Adding to the advice so far....Make sure they have something comfy like some soft towels to snuggle up to. If you have a stuffed animal, that would be good as well. They will need de-worming.Dont worry, theyll be nicer when they get more acclimated :)

One of the kittens was trapped in my wood shop, and the other two were out in the alley behind. I caught them, but they are WAY feral! What do I do with them now?

Paging Domari! If anyone can give you advice - it'll be Domari :)

Best of luck and thanks for being the kind of person who would try to help these sweet babies!

Oh boy, itty bitty hissy kitties!! They're always fun. As the others said... patience, lots of patience. Bribe them with gooshy food and tasty treats, let them associate you with yummy things and niceness.Pet them while they're eating so they get used to your touch. Let them go to you slowly. It will take a couple weeks to get them tamed. Once they're used to your touch, make sure they're socialized with other people.

I am hoping that while I weed the gardens, getting them ready for planting I will find Eli's last collar! I should just buy a spare and a tag...he is 11 or so years old..any thoughts on getting an older cat chipped?

John Buck 41:tigerose: And before I forget! Thanks to all who have served us in the Navy, Merchant Marine, Air force, Army and Marines. And thanks to all the loved ones waiting for you at home.

Toss in the Coast Guard and you've got a deal.

Ooops! Forgot the Coast Guard! sorry!..My father in law was a Merchant Marine during WW2 and then in the Navy. Uncle Fred was Navy all the way. Both were Tin Can Sailors. I loooved to listen to their stories. In fact I think I am going to call Fred this weekend and see how he is doing in the "Land of Lakes". He's 93? Moved in with his widowed sister in law last fall. I miss him. I'll be seeing father in law in June when my son matriculates from High School.

Pet them while they're eating so they get used to your touch. Let them go to you slowly. It will take a couple weeks to get them tamed.

Heh. Nope. Those buggers'll bite me. I'll wait until one of them walks up to me. Right now they are chowing down pretty heartily. The one that was trapped in my shop hasn't had food or water since Tuesday, because that was the last time my classes were down there.

I don't think you understand the severity of the situation. I had to wear gloves to catch them. They are biters, not lovers. I can't safely handle them without getting hurt.

MostAll of the feral babies I caught at my office over 2 1/2 years were that way. First thing I did was don leather gardening gloves. I wrapped each baby in a hand towel and clipped the little needle sharp nails on all 4 paws. Each baby then received a bath in baby shampoo because they were all stinky from the Yellow Bellied Marmots also under my back deck. While I dried off each one I spent time cuddling and petting and talking softly to them. They need to be handled often and talked to quietly. Slowly each one will calm down and learn to trust. I kept the babies in one of the bathrooms at work and visited and petted them often. Almost all of them stopped being so hissy and bitey pretty quickly. Some took more time. If you can at least get them to this stage they will be adopted much faster and will all make great pets to you or someone else if you can't keep all three. They are adorable!

ferfer72:Ok. So if I wear gloves, I can put them in the bath tub in my guest bathroom. I can set them up with a litter box and food in there (It's a big tub). Then what? I'm not quite sure I'm understanding the advice.

akimbotoo:ferfer72: Ok. So if I wear gloves, I can put them in the bath tub in my guest bathroom. I can set them up with a litter box and food in there (It's a big tub). Then what? I'm not quite sure I'm understanding the advice.

Sweetie, they will get out of that bath tub pretty quickly!

We keep feral kittens in huge cages where they have plenty of room for food, water, litter pan and a cat carrier. This way they get used to seeing us all the time, and they can't hide somewhere that we can't find them. We also put a cat carrier in there with the door propped open with a small stick or bungy cord. This way they have someplace to hide when we open the cage door to clean it out. I shut the carrier door with the kittens in it so they can't escape the cage and run away. When it's time to go to the vet it makes it easier to have the carrier in the cage and herd the kittens into it instead of having to grab them one by one.

born_yesterday:I realize I'm late to the thread, but one of the kitten cams I watch got me thinking about my last cat, Mr. Fluffy.

I took Mr. Fluffy in off the streets of Baltimore. More accurately, he accepted the terms of the agreement and volunteered. Seriously. He was the biggest stray i had ever seen (20 lbs as it turns out), and would sit on my porch with the others, waiting for noms. But Mr. Fluffy never meowed or begged or stroked my leg; he just looked at me calmly, waiting. One day, when I decided I was willing to devote myself to a cat, I saw him outside, and I said to him, "OK, here's the deal: I'll give you all the food you could want, all the love that you want, and medical attention, but you can't go outside anymore." I opened the apartment door and asked, "So what do you say?". He got up and walked in and followed me into my apartment.

I took him to the vet right away. As it turns out, he was a he (he had been neutered, probably by one of the volunteer cat trappers in Baltimore), but I refused to change his name, hence the awkward moniker "Mr. Fluffy". The bad news was, he was FIV positive. He wasn't expected to last long. But, we made a deal, and I was sticking to it. Throughout his life, I had to deal will numerous traumas. Like the stomatitis. Like having to remove all the teeth behind his canines. And the glaucoma. And, eventually, the ear infection that destroyed his balance. That's when I eventually had to let him go, when I knew life was painful for him. He survived through two cross-country moves, four apartments, and seven years.

I still won't take in another cat. I can't yet, and he passed 5 years ago. He was too much. He had so much personality. I can't take in another cat and compare them to him; it wouldn't be fair. He used to sit at the window, watching his old haunt, and would "murr" and nod hello when I walked in (to get attentions). He would play cat and mouse with me, getting chased and chasing me, until the day I dove ...

What a lovely memorial to an amazing cat! I wasn't sure how I would ever fall in love with another cat after my Niki had to be put to sleep because her cancer had spread to her lungs. She was my perfect little kitty. After 1 week I started getting a nagging itch to check out Petfinder.com just to look, you understand? There they were. My darling boys. I love them with all my heart, but in a different way. That is ok though because my heart has plenty of room for all of my kitties, past and present.